Russia ambassador to step down

Feb. 4, 2014
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Michael McFaul / Misha Japaridze, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama will be seeking a new ambassador to Russia, as diplomat Michael McFaul announced Tuesday he is leaving the post.

"It has been a tremendous honor to represent my country in Russia and I made this decision with a heavy heart," McFaul said in a statement. "I will greatly miss interacting with my partners in the Russian government and with Russians from all sectors of society and business. I also will miss being part of a fantastic team at Embassy Moscow."

A long-time professor at Stanford University, McFaul says he will be returning to California after the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.